Museum director says Konstantin Altunin left for France, planning to request asylum there

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree banning demonstrations and rallies for two and a half months in Sochi around the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Leader played down suggestions that he and Putin do not get along.

Yelena Mizulina author of ban on homosexual "propaganda" that went into force last month.

Syria, missle defense, human rights, and other issues divide the former cold warriors.

The decision reflected U.S. anger over Russia's harboring of N.S.A. leaker Edward Snowden.

Reflects "underlying challenges" in relationship with Moscow.

Russia's move to grant Snowden asylum viewed as negative development for U.S.-Russia relations.

Russian authorities granted him asylum for one year, his lawyer said Thursday.

White House mulls the move in response to Snowden affair.